Home / States / Nevada

Your rights after a tow in Nevada

Nevada law sets rules for towing from private property, such as apartment complexes and store lots. Counties and cities set the maximum rates. Here is what the law says, in plain English.

Pick your city

Tow-away signs

Before a lot owner can have your car towed for unauthorized parking, a sign must be in plain view on the property saying public parking is prohibited or restricted. State rules also say it must be visible to drivers entering the lot and there must be enough signs to warn everyone using it. NRS 487.038(1); NAC 706.427(6) (opens in a new tab)
The sign must show a phone number for the local police or sheriff, and under the state tow rules it must be easy to read with contrasting lettering. If the sign was required and missing, the tow company may not charge you and must refund anything you paid. NRS 487.038(1); NAC 706.427(6); NAC 706.418(2) (opens in a new tab)
No sign is needed at a house with a single-family dwelling, or for a space marked for disabled parking without a placard. The state tow rules also excuse signs for fire lanes and similar no-parking areas, or where a notice sat on your car for at least 24 hours in an area with no signs. NRS 487.038(3)-(4); NAC 706.427(7) (opens in a new tab)

Who can order a tow

Only the property owner or the owner's authorized agent can order a private-property tow, and they must sign a specific request. The tow company is generally not treated as the owner's agent. If the person who ordered it had no authority, the company cannot charge you. NRS 706.4477(1); NAC 706.418(1) (opens in a new tab)
At an apartment, condo or townhome complex, the complex must put a sticker on your car at least 48 hours before towing for most parking violations. It can tow right away for fire hydrants, fire lanes or disabled spaces, and for repeat violations. NRS 706.4477(2) (opens in a new tab)
A residential complex can have you towed only for a parking violation, an unregistered vehicle, or certain safety blocks. It cannot tow you solely because your registration is expired, and the company may not charge for that tow. NRS 706.4477(2)(b)-(c) (opens in a new tab)

If you get back before the tow leaves

If your car is already hooked up but still at the lot, the driver must let you have it released if you ask and pay the company's release fee. Each tow company's approved rates must list a reduced rate for this case, but Nevada sets no single dollar cap. NRS 706.4469(1); NAC 706.408(3) (opens in a new tab)
If the apartment complex towed you only because it said the car was unregistered, and you show current registration from any state, the driver must release the car right away and you owe no release fee. NRS 706.4469(2) (opens in a new tab)

Where your car goes

The owner may have your car taken to the nearest public garage or storage yard. Nevada's private-property law sets no mileage limit, but the approved flat rate covers only the first 10 miles, so extra mileage can be billed only beyond that. NRS 487.038(1); NAC 706.408(2) (opens in a new tab)
The tow company must report the make, model and plate to the local police or sheriff within 90 minutes of starting the tow, or 30 minutes after reaching storage, whichever comes first. If it does not, it cannot charge you for the tow. Calling the non-emergency police line is the fastest way to find your car. NAC 706.432(1); NAC 706.418(4) (opens in a new tab)

What they can charge

A nonconsensual tow can be billed only at rates in the company's tariff approved by the Nevada Transportation Authority. The bill must itemize each charge, and tow rates from private property are one flat rate (extra only for miles beyond 10). NAC 706.408(1)-(2); NAC 706.420 (opens in a new tab)
Nevada rates for these tows come from each company's state-approved tariff, not a city or county list. We found no state law letting cities set a separate private-property tow price. NRS 706.321; NAC 706.407-706.408 (opens in a new tab)
The company cannot charge any storage until at least 48 hours after your car arrives and is registered at its lot. If it arrives after business hours, the 48 hours start when the lot next opens. NRS 706.4477(6) (opens in a new tab)
If you cannot afford the normal rate for reasons outside your control, the company must consider charging you less. Every tow company must post a notice of this and the Authority's phone number in its office. NRS 706.4477(7), (10) (opens in a new tab)
A company can add a lien-processing charge only after starting the lien process and storing the car at least 96 hours, and the charge is split into half-amounts at 96 hours and again after 336 hours. The Authority can reduce unreasonable lien charges. NRS 706.4468 (opens in a new tab)

Getting your car back

A tow company must accept cash, money orders, credit cards, debit cards and electronic transfers. It may offer a discount for paying cash. NRS 706.44793 (opens in a new tab)
The company may not hold your cargo or personal belongings as security for payment. It must protect your car and belongings from theft and damage. NRS 706.4467(2), (5) (opens in a new tab)
You must be given access to your towed car during normal business hours. The company must also set up a way for you to get in or obtain release when it is not normally open. NRS 706.4467(3)-(4) (opens in a new tab)
You can inspect and inventory the car before it is released to check for damage or theft. If the company finds or you report damage, it must either settle the claim or give you its insurance carrier and claim steps. NRS 706.4467(6) (opens in a new tab)
Write any damage or missing items on your receipt before you sign or leave, and take photos. Nevada's tow law does not say damage is waived if you stay silent, but notes and photos help any later claim. NRS 706.4467(6) (opens in a new tab)

Disputes and deadlines

If you think the tow was unlawful and the car is still in storage, you can file a complaint in the justice court for expedited relief within 21 days. The hearing must happen within 7 days, and if the tow was unlawful the court orders the car released right away. NRS 487.039(1)-(5) (opens in a new tab)
The Nevada Transportation Authority takes complaints about tow companies, and the tow company must tell you how to complain. The Authority can order a towed car released on set terms. NRS 706.4473; NRS 706.4483(2); NAC 706.426 (opens in a new tab)
If someone other than you ordered the tow, the company must mail the registered owner a certified notice within 15 days. It must say where the car is, the charges, and how to get it back at the lowest cost. After 15 days it cannot keep charging unless it sent that notice. NRS 706.4479(1)-(2) (opens in a new tab)
If you paid by credit card, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer. For billing errors, your written dispute generally must reach the issuer within 60 days of the first bill showing the charge. Whether a tow charge qualifies is up to the issuer. Fair Credit Billing Act (FTC guidance) (opens in a new tab)

Where to complain

Nevada Transportation Authority (tow complaints). State regulator of tow companies. File the tow complaint form with receipts and photos by email, mail or in person at its Las Vegas or Reno office. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)
Justice court expedited tow hearing. File within 21 days in the justice court for the township where you were towed to ask for a hearing within 7 days on whether the tow was lawful.

Nevada justice courts hear small claims for money up to $10,000. You can sue for tow costs there, and the expedited hearing under NRS 487.039 is a separate faster route while the car is still in storage.

Check your tow

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-17. These are the laws and official pages this page is based on.